US Tops Medal Table, Ties with China for Gold at Paris Games

The United States topping the medal table for the eighth consecutive Olympics Games. Team USA finished with an impressive 126 total medals, including 40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze. China closely followed with 91 total medals, also securing 40 golds. Great Britain rounded out the top three with 65 medals overall.

Several memorable moments defined these Games,, with the U.S. women's basketball team clinching their eighth straight gold medal in a thrilling 67-66 victory over host nation France. Simone Biles made a triumphant return to gymnastics, securing three gold medals and one silver. In the pool, Katie Ledecky continued her dominance with two golds, a silver, and a bronze.

The Games also saw first-ever medals for Cape Verde, Dominica, St. Lucia, Albania, and the Refugee Olympic Team.

Looking ahead, the Olympic torch will next travel to Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Summer Games will then return to the United States, with Los Angeles set to host for the third time, following previous editions in 1932 and 1984.

 

Paris Olympics 2024: Controversy Amid Athletic Glory

The Paris 2024 Olympics began with its opening ceremony along the Seine River on July 26. Athletes arrived by boat, passing landmarks like Notre-Dame and the Louvre, with performances by Celine Dion and Lady Gaga, as the Olympic flame lit the Olympic Cauldron, which is shaped as a hot air balloon.

The event faced challenges, however, with acts of sabotage targeting the French high-speed rail network and causing travel disruptions. The weather also posed issues, with rain starting just as the ceremony began, leading to a scramble to shelter equipment and attendees.

Reactions to the ceremonies have been mixed. While some praised the innovative artistic approach, others were frustrated by logistical problems, including long waits and overcrowding.

Controversy arose from one part of the ceremony that some viewers perceived as a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s "The Last Supper." This segment, which featured drag queens and dancers arranged along a long table, was interpreted by some as mocking Christianity. The event organizers said the scene was intended to parody the Greek myth of the Feast of Dionysius rather than the Last Supper.

Security was tight in the lead up to the games, with heavy police patrols and multiple security checks along the Seine.

Some athletes have complained about uncomfortable beds and the lack of air conditioning at the Olympic Village, with some booking hotel rooms instead.

  

Legendary Baseball Player Willie Mays Dies at 93

Willie Mays, the baseball great who captured the attention of millions for his strong batting and outfield abilities, died June 18th in Palo Alto, California, at 93. Known as ‘The Say Hey Kid,’ his cheerful demeanor and theatrics on the field delighted fans for his two decades of play in the major leagues.

Mays was born in 1931 in Westfield, Alabama. He began playing baseball as a young boy and started his professional career in the Negro Leagues, playing for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos and the Birmingham Barons.

In 1951, he joined the New York Giants, becoming National League Rookie of the Year. After being drafted to fight in the Korean War, he returned in 1954, helping the Giants win the World Series, most notably through the most famous play in his career, the ‘The Catch,’ in Game 1.

He went on to play until 1973, staying with the Giants when they moved to San Francisco in 1958 until his trade to the New York Mets in 1972, retiring as third in career home runs. He would make regular appearances at Giants games in his retirement.

 

Soccer Legend Pelé Dies at 82

Pelé, considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time, died Thursday at 82 in São Paulo. His cause of death was multiple organ failure caused by colon cancer.

The Brazilian’s 22-year career helped lead to three World Cup victories for Brazil and established the nation as a powerhouse in the sport.

Pelé, whose real name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was born in 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil. His father was also a footballer (soccer player), though his family was impoverished. His family’s economic condition did not stop him from learning the sport and training further, and at 17, he made his World Cup debut in 1958, in which Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 in the final.

In 1969, he scored his 1000th career goal, making Pelé the first to achieve the feat.

He later played for the New York Cosmos, helping revive the sport’s popularity in the US.

Pelé appeared at the 2012 Olympics closing ceremony, in which the Brazil was handed host responsibilities for the 2016 Olympics.

His death comes in the same month that Argentina, another South American country, won the World Cup. 

 

US, China Jockey for Top Place at Tokyo Olympics

The US and China lead the way in performance at the Tokyo Olympics, with the US currently leading in the medal count with 19 gold, 20 silver, and 13 bronze. China currently leads the pack in gold medals, winning 22 so far. It adds 13 silver and 12 bronze for a total medal count of 47.

The United States has gathered many of its medals from swimming events, which has been US-dominated in recent Olympic games. China meanwhile has flexed their strength in shooting events.

These Olympics, delayed one year because of the coronavirus pandemic, are the first time Japan has hosted the Olympics since 1964. These games are notable for the lack of attendees during events and the wearing of masks before and after events by the athletes.

 

Nationals Defeats Astros in World Series

The Washington Nationals defeated the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the World Series Wednesday night, clinching their first championship in the franchise’s history. The Astros led 2-0 until the 7th inning, after which the Nationals managed to score 4 runs in the course of the latter part of the game. The Astros never managed to score any further runs, giving the Nationals the game.

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg was named the MVP of this year’s World Series.

Winter Olympics End, US Fails to Impress as Politics Took Center Stage

The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea ended n Sunday, following two weeks of sporting events. Norway emerged the strongest nation, winning in both number of gold medals won (14) and total medals won (39). The US came in fourth in both categories, with 9 gold and 23 total. While the American performance was the worst in recent Winter Olympics, the women’s ice hockey team defeated Canada to win the first gold for the US in the sport since 1998.

Politics laid a cloud over this year’s games as well. While the North Korean and South Korean teams marched under a united flag at the opening ceremonies, as well as competed together in women’s ice hockey, tensions remain as North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, continues his nuclear weapons program and testing of rockets. His sister, Kim Yo-jung, made an appearance at the opening ceremony and stood near US Vice President Mike Pence. Some American media outlets were criticized for the positive coverage they gave her given her position as propaganda director for the brutal regime.